Medex Bronze is a Medicare supplement plan. It can be added to Medicare A and B coverage to fill "gaps" in your Medicare coverage. As a supplemental insurance plan, Medex Bronze helps cover health care expenses left over after Medicare has covered its portion of costs. To learn more about Medex Bronze and our other Medex options, read our Freedom of Choice: Solutions for Seniors. You can also view a high-level comparison of all our direct pay Medex plans.

• You want to supplement your Medicare A & B coverage in order to cover out-of-pocket costs.
• You want the freedom to see any Medicare doctor or hospital without having to select a primary care physician (PCP) or get a referral.
• You want the peace of mind of carrying the most recognized ID card in health care today.

You are eligible to apply for any of our Medex plans if you meet all of the following requirements:

• You live in Massachusetts.
• You are eligible for Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B and enrolled in Medicare Part B.
• If you are under age 65, you qualify for Medicare coverage because of disability, except for end-stage renal disease.

Medex Bronze does not offer a prescription medication benefit. However, you can choose to purchase our Medicare Part D prescription plan, called Blue Medicare Rx. Blue Medicare Rx is offered through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. Click here to learn more about Blue Medicare Rx.

To avoid a Medicare Part D premium penalty, you must enroll in Medicare Part D between November 15, 2005 and May 15, 2006.

These rates are effective from March 15, 2005, and are subject to change effective March 15, 2006.

• Premiums for Medex Bronze are $138.41 monthly or $414.30 quarterly (every three months).
• Individuals aged 65 who enroll in a Medex plan when initially eligible for Medicare Part B could qualify for discounted rates. Please call 1-800-678-2265 to determine if you are eligible for the discount.

To apply for coverage, just download and read the application form and outline of coverage . Then print, complete, and sign the application form and mail it to:

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
Consumer Sales
100 Hancock Street, 09/8B
North Quincy, MA 02171-1725

For additional information about other health plans for seniors available in Massachusetts, you can call the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs at 1-800-243-4636. You can also visit the Massachusetts Division of Insurance on the web at:

http://www.state.ma.us/doi/Consumer/CSS_health.html

You can also contact The SHINE Program, Massachusetts' state health insurance program that provides free, one-on-one health insurance information, counseling and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries of all ages. Call SHINE, toll-free, at 1-800-AGE-INFO (1-800-243-4636), and press "2". TTY: 1-800-872-1066. You can visit their website at www.medicareoutreach.org

The federal government has a Medicare information telephone line and website. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), or TTY: 1-877-486-2048 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can visit the Medicare website at www.medicare.gov

You can also call the Social Security Administration for help with questions about eligibility and enrolling Medicare, and for questions about eligibility and help with the costs of a Medicare Part D prescription plan. 1-800-772-1213. TTY: 1-800-325-0778.

To help you learn more about your health plan coverage options under Medicare, use these helpful tools. To learn more, just click on the below.

• What plan is right for me?
• How much will my plan cost?
• Is my doctor part of the plan network?
• Are my medications covered if I purchase the Blue Medicare Rx prescription plan?